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Manual 2 Door Rubicon Bikini Build

e-pill

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im really liking the bikini and your progress on your build. the Artec stinger/ front bumper is something I want. I remember saying to myself as im scrolling thru your pics.. 'and he has the Artec stinger' .. then saying again.. "and its painted black of course !!'

im jealous is all.. thx!! oh and the photos of your rig in the gloomy skies were awesome!! the bikini really stands out but isnt in your face. I love my sting gray.. but id get the bikini too.
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Creeker

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E-pill,

Thx for the kind words. Your stingray rig is looking great!

With the Artec bumpers, gutted fenders, and AAL turn signals projects completed, time to check the clearances again.
Brought out the homemade flex ramp.

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Now there is a bunch more clearance between the fender and the tires.
Maybe time for 40's?

These mods have been inspected and approved by the dog and the horses.

IMG_0185.jpg
 
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Creeker

Creeker

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In an effort to get the Jeep ready for the trails, a set of CavFab diff covers was installed.

Jeep Wrangler JL Manual 2 Door Rubicon Bikini Build Diff Cover Front


Jeep Wrangler JL Manual 2 Door Rubicon Bikini Build Rear Diff Cover 1


Next, hopefully, the rear diff skid will be delivered soon.
 

IdahoJOAT

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This is awesome. I'm going to follow your journey even as I lightly wheel my wife's stock JLUR.

You wheel for the rest of us! :clap:
 
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Creeker

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Did not like the red, that was originally on the shackles.

Had then re-powder coated to match the flat link.

Jeep Wrangler JL Manual 2 Door Rubicon Bikini Build shackles rb
Jeep Wrangler JL Manual 2 Door Rubicon Bikini Build Shackle PC1
 

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Creeker

Creeker

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Matt was nice enough to invite me to TN to tryout Signal Mountain, which about 5 hours west.
This will be the Jeep's first off road adventure.
Did not want to take the flat trailer and since the Jeep is too wide for the aluminum trailer with the DirtyLife wheels, an interesting thought...

Picked up a set of cheap JK wheels, then the Jeep would fit onto the trailer.

Jeep Wrangler JL Manual 2 Door Rubicon Bikini Build IMG_0243
Jeep Wrangler JL Manual 2 Door Rubicon Bikini Build IMG_0244 (1)


Hope the Jeep comes back from the outing this nice.
 

ChattVol

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Matt was nice enough to invite me to TN to tryout Signal Mountain, which about 5 hours west.
This will be the Jeep's first off road adventure.
Did not want to take the flat trailer and since the Jeep is too wide for the aluminum trailer with the DirtyLife wheels, an interesting thought...

Picked up a set of cheap JK wheels, then the Jeep would fit onto the trailer.

IMG_0243.jpg
IMG_0244 (1).jpg


Hope the Jeep comes back from the outing this nice.
Great build...Looking forward to riding with you today:handsinair:
 

ChattVol

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Great to meet you and your son yesterday...Thanks for making the drive to come ride with us! I meant to take pics/video of the more technical obstacles...but didn't get to with my kids in the jeep. You have an awesome performing rig!
Jeep Wrangler JL Manual 2 Door Rubicon Bikini Build XLB2OOK

Jeep Wrangler JL Manual 2 Door Rubicon Bikini Build xmwycM2
Jeep Wrangler JL Manual 2 Door Rubicon Bikini Build JAcBxGP

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Krondor

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Jeeple Meet!

Good to see some on the trail pictures. Thanks for sharing! :party: :beer:
 
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Creeker

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Thx to ChattVol for inviting us out to TN for some wheeling.

After my son and I took the Jeep off the trailer, ChattVol helped us put the 37's on and we were ready to drive the off road trails. ChattVol had his kids, and they are just awesome!

Jeep Wrangler JL Manual 2 Door Rubicon Bikini Build IMG_0245.JPG


ChattVol and I air down the tires. Since all I had was a cheap air pump, deflated the tires to 25 PSI. The trail started great, the lookout spot was the first stop. Since this was the Jeep's first outing, really did not know how it would do off road.

Made it to the lookout just fine.

Jeep Wrangler JL Manual 2 Door Rubicon Bikini Build IMG_0247.JPG
Jeep Wrangler JL Manual 2 Door Rubicon Bikini Build IMG_0273.JPG
Jeep Wrangler JL Manual 2 Door Rubicon Bikini Build IMG_0279.JPG
Jeep Wrangler JL Manual 2 Door Rubicon Bikini Build IMG_0281.JPG


Next was a little play area with some climbs. ChattVol's Jeep is awesome, as it climbed up those hills with no issues. Now it was my turn to try. Not knowing what to expect, the Jeep climbed up the hills with no problems.

Next was a little flex test on a rock.

Jeep Wrangler JL Manual 2 Door Rubicon Bikini Build IMG_0290.JPG


Next up lunch and then a decent. It was my son's turn to drive. The Jeep did fine. Good thing it has hydraulic bump stops.

Next, ChattVol went up this crazy incline. No problem.
My son, who was behind the wheel, looked climb and looked at me.
I said, follow the leader.
We put the lockers on and up the climb the JLR went.
At one point in the climb, the pitch was over 30 degrees.

We made some rookie mistakes on a couple of rocky climbs and descents.

Jeep Wrangler JL Manual 2 Door Rubicon Bikini Build IMG_0318.PNG
Jeep Wrangler JL Manual 2 Door Rubicon Bikini Build IMG_0319.PNG


We did get to test out the rock sliders.

Jeep Wrangler JL Manual 2 Door Rubicon Bikini Build IMG_0313.JPG


Made it out of the park with no issues.
ChattVol was a great host, we had a blast with the Jeep.
Was really please at how the Jeep did off road.

To get the Jeep back on the trailer, my son came up the with idea that we only needed install two of the JK wheels on the drivers side.

Jeep Wrangler JL Manual 2 Door Rubicon Bikini Build IMG_0299.JPG


Made it back to NC with no issues.

Jeep Wrangler JL Manual 2 Door Rubicon Bikini Build IMG_0300.JPG


Spent the next day cleaning up the Jeep.

Jeep Wrangler JL Manual 2 Door Rubicon Bikini Build IMG_0316.JPG


Not a bad weekend!
Thx again to Diezel at Stacked Off Road for transforming this Jeep into this amazing machine.
 
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Anthony120

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Loving the build so far :clap: How is the manual holding up with 37's? I was looking into larger tires and would love to hear any pros / cons about your setup
 
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Creeker

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Anthony120,

Thx for the kind words.

The 37's are great!

What is needed to go 37's"
It is possible to go no lift and limit the flex with bump stops.
Also possible to add Artec fender liners, no lift and get some of the flex back.
2.5" lift is OK,
3.5" lift is better :D
For this rig, a RK T-Rex kit 3.5" long arm/mid arm kit was installed by Stacked off Road.
To max out the flex on 37s, gutting the fenders, 3.5" lift, and stubby front bumper are needed.
After all that, one can go 38s or even 40s. :D
Might go to 38's when these tires wear out.

Depending on how hard you wheel your rig, the Dana 44's should not have an issue with 37s.
Because one never knows, this rig's Dana 44s have been upgraded.
The Dana 44 in the front has the Artec truss system.
The rear Dana 44 has the RK truss added and shock brackets moved up.
For extra strength, hope to install RCV axles and 35 splined 5.13 gears.
Of course if one has an extra ~$20K, one can always install a Dana 60 system.

Driving around town, no problem, just have to be easier on the clutch to start.
Driving on the hwy, 4.11 gears are Ok, but you will use 4th gear to go up hills.
Also, since a RK lift was installed that has a long arm in the back and mid arm in the front, the ride is pretty good for a Jeep.

Driving off road, 4.11 gears, 4-Low, and Rubicon 4-to-1 xfer case are great.
Also, since Locked Off Road hydraulic bump stops were installed, the ride quality is pretty good.

At the boat ramp, pulling the 3,500 Lbs boat up the steep ramp, 4-Low is recommended with 4.11 and gears 37s.

Overall, the ride quality is very good for a Jeep. With this setup, I would say it is the same if not better than the stock ride you get from a JLR. For me, this setup has been perfect.
 
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Creeker

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Searching for a really great rear diff skid (RDS) resulted in finding one made by Next Venture Motorsports (NVM). Their RDS is made from 3/8" and 1/4" steel.

Jeep Wrangler JL Manual 2 Door Rubicon Bikini Build Info


Though a few more $$ than other brands, it's one of those things "you get what you pay for..."

After the RDS arrived in the mail, inspection revealed the build quality was really great. Of course being an engr, just had to make it better. The exterior welds ground smooth and the corners were rounded a bit. The mod was not needed, but will held the RDS to slide over rocks slightly better.

This is what the RDS looked like after powder coating.

Jeep Wrangler JL Manual 2 Door Rubicon Bikini Build Rear Skid pics_Page_1


Installing the RDS was straight forward. Just be sure not tighten everything until all the bolts are started.

Jeep Wrangler JL Manual 2 Door Rubicon Bikini Build Rear Skid pics_Page_2


Anyway, really glad the RDS was installed, since the next day, it was off to Potts Mnt in VA.
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